Huge, fast-moving wildfires have smashed up to half of the remarkable Canadian town of Jasper. Officials say, as monster fire firefighters try to save as many buildings as possible.
The blazes in Alberta province have leveled entire streets, with video showing smoldering rubble where homes once stood.
Freezing temperatures brought some relief on Thursday. Park authorities said the fires were still out of control and forecast further warm weather.
There are hundred of active blazes in neighbouring British Columbia, while fires are burning in western US states.
Although officials have not reported any deaths, approximately 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents have fled the mountainous areas. A hugely popular tourist spot.
The fires have affected approximately 36,000 hectares (89,000 acres) of land so far. Jasper National Park reported late on Thursday night local time – adding that neighbouring communities were not at risk.
Wildfires Devastate Jasper: Up to Half of Significant Town in Ruins as Emergency Services Struggle Against monster fire:
It said that factors such as strong winds had complicated efforts to map the fires. The extreme nature of the fire, and smoke.
During a news meeting on Thursday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tearfully struggled at times to report the scale of the damage, saying that “possibly 30 to 50%” of buildings had been ruined.
Ms. Smith became visibly sensitive as she described the beauty of the park and its significance to the community, which relies largely on tourism. Some 2.5 million people visit the park, and nearby Banff National Park, each year.
Rail, phone and power services in the area have been affected, CBC News reported.
While on holiday, Karyn Decore, the owner of the Maligne Lodge in Jasper, learned that a fire had burned down her hotel. On Wednesday night, she received a photograph of the building in flames.
She told the BBC, I was horrified when I saw that photo. “I think it’s going to take a couple of days for the shock to wear down.”
“It’s really hard for everyone to comprehend that we lost one of our properties,” she said, adding that she intended to rebuild the lodge.
